Bodie's Letter
| The Professionals Fanfiction | |
|---|---|
| Title: | Bodie's Letter |
| Author(s): | Ellis Ward |
| Date(s): | May 1993 (zine), Sept 2004 (online) |
| Length: | 14,050 words |
| Genre: | |
| Fandom: | The Professionals |
| External Links: | online at the Circuit Archive online at AO3 |
Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
Bodie's Letter is a Professionals slash story written by Ellis Ward.
It was originally published in No Holds Barred #4 and then later posted to the Circuit Archive.
Reactions/Reviews
I also enjoy long separation stories, like Ellis Ward's "Bodie's Letter". The awkwardness when they come back together, the residual anger on both sides, the sadness that goes with the lost years all appeals to me because it's bound up with a happy ending (in that they get back together before it's too late). I like the spareness of Ellis Ward's approach in that particular story, which accentuates the quagmire of emotions beneath the surface maturity and calm.[1]
I always enjoy the things Ellis Ward does with guns as bonding moments between Bodie and Doyle. In this story, it's the draw of trying out Doyle's Glock that both keeps Bodie and Doyle together for their first afternoon without having to deal with the emotional trauma and allows them to bond in the old way, going to the firing range together, a harking back to what was once second nature in their lives. It gives them a breathing space while also putting them on familiar footing together so they can get their bearings. It also feels absolutely what they might do in such a circumstance.[2]
I had not read this before. It made me cry but had a very satisfying ending.[3]
Because this is a great older - about 10 years - lads story.The story starts with Cowley's funeral. Ray Doyle has been offered the job as new Controller of CI5, Bodie has left CI5 almost 10 years ago. They never had any contact after he left except for one letter.
Than while handling Cowley's affairs Doyle finds two letters that turn his world upside down.
An excellent story with a Cowley who still rules from beyond the grave.[4]
Anything by Ellis Ward I read, reread and then reread again. This isn't my favorite of hers but a great story, nevertheless.[5]
Again, one of my favorite stories by the author, and my fav future fic. Bodie & Doyle are in a relationship, until something happens and they lose touch. Ten years and one funeral later, they meet again. This one is brilliant, and contains some of my favorite fandomish moments.[6]
One of my two favourite stories of Ellis Ward's (the other being Harlequin Airs). This one hits my kinks for Older Lads and for the angst of a long separation with the pay-off of a tentative but hopeful new start. The happiness they're going to try for will have to be worked for, earned, and they've already paid heavy dues for it.The awkwardness when they come back together, the residual anger on both sides, the sadness that goes with the lost years all appeals to me because it's bound up with a happy ending (in that they get back together before it's too late). I like the spareness of Ellis Ward's approach in this story, which accentuates the quagmire of emotions beneath the surface maturity and calm.
I always enjoy the things Ellis Ward does with guns as bonding moments between Bodie and Doyle. In this story, it's the draw of trying out Doyle's Glock that both keeps Bodie and Doyle together for their first afternoon without having to deal with the emotional trauma, and allows them to bond in the old way, going to the firing range together, a harking back to what was once second nature in their lives. It gives them a breathing space while also putting them on familiar footing together so they can get their bearings. It also feels absolutely what they might do in such a circumstance.[7]
References
- ^ istia's review posted to the Pros-Lit mailing list in October 2005, quoted with permission.
- ^ review at prosrecs dated Feb 22, 2010; reference link.
- ^ comment in the review at the crack-van dated August 16, 2005; reference link.
- ^ from a 2005 comment at Crack Van
- ^ from a 2005 comment at Crack Van
- ^ from 2007 rec50
- ^ 2010 comments by istia, prosrecs, Archived version